Michael's Rediscovery of Nature

Ramblings and observations of a former biologist and a lifelong naturalist, who has recently returned to his roots in east Texas. After a many years of working from coast to coast in an industry far removed from biology, it has been a pleasant change of geography, activity, and attitude. No stressful job decked out in a three piece suit. No city living. Instead there is a rediscovery of the woods, of something scurrying through the leaves, of the clear notes of a bird call, and of reliving the joy that I had when nature was a playground and a classroom.

Hey, Eagles! How Can I Take Your Picture if You Keep Flying Off the Nest? **A Rerun from 2015**

We put these guidelines out last year after so much interest in the eagle's nest and reports of other nests in the area.

It is critical that if you find a Bald Eagle's nest (or any bird nest actually), that you follow these guidelines. Bald Eagles and most birds are VERY sensitive to activity around their nests. If you bother them, they may fly away and MAY NOT BREED THAT YEAR. If there are eggs in the nest they may abandon them; they may even abandon young birds.

PLEASE READ THESE GUIDELINES and if you find a nest, make sure that you follow the information that is written here. I will add a PLEASE to that. Please let the birds breed, nest and raise their young in peace. You can observe, but read the information below so you know what you should and should not do. Again - PLEASE.

GUIDELINES FOR BALD EAGLE NEST OBSERVATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY

We humans are curious creatures and it is often difficult for us to just leave things alone. This is one of those cases where leaving things alone is absolutely the best thing to do. Unless you have a compelling interest to see the nest (and you really don't) or to photograph it (and this is not the ideal location for that), then leave it alone. There are plenty of places on the internet where you can observe bald eagles nesting and raising their young. You will be able to see more of the nest from a much closer distance and you can watch from the comfort of your living room. Plus, you will not be doing anything that may cause the eagles to abandon their nest, their eggs or their young. Here are some sites you can visit:

REMEMBER: The Bald Eagle is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and they are very sensitive to humans near the nest.

Here are some basic guidelines:

Approach the nest slowly and quietly. You can only approach the nest via a boat.

Don't get any closer than 330 feet - that is just a little more than the length of a football field. This is the distance recommended by the United State Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Getting closer does not help you see the eagles. Because they are so high, you can only see them if you keep your distance.

Don't talk loudly or wave your arms to get them to react. If anything you do causes the eagle to stop what it is doing, YOU ARE DISTURBING IT. It may be a minor disturbance such as causing them to stop preening and turn to look at you or it can be as serious as causing it to leave the nest which is a CRITICAL DISTURBANCE.

Watch for behavior that indicates the eagle is getting agitated. He may stop what he is doing, vocalize, change his position into an alert posture, raise its wings or lean forward slightly as if about to leave the nest. If this happens, move slowly away and don't come back for at least an hour.

DO NOT GO TO THE LAND AND APPROACH THE TREE CONTAINING THE NEST (Picking up feathers, even those dropped by the eagles to the ground is a FELONY. Believe me, they do enforce this law. Penalties include a maximum of five years and $250,000 fine for felony convictions and a maximum $10,000 fine for civil violations and $250 for marking violations. Fines double for organizations. Rewards are provided for information leading to arrest and conviction. violation of the Act).

You might consider using something like a duck blind netting on your boat. Eagles are disturbed more by what they see - like humans near their nest. With a blind on your boat, you can observe them with less likelihood of disturbing them.

Do not linger. Watch them for a minute or two, take your pictures, and then leave them alone.

Don't tell anyone else about the nest location unless you are 100% sure they will be respectful and follow these guidelines.

Here is an interesting chart about nesting and the times that eagles are most likely to be disturbed.

Again, let me say that it is best to leave them alone. Visit the webcams. It will not take much to cause the eagles to abandon their nest. If you must go see them, please follow these guidelines and don't do anything to disturb them.

About the author

Michael is a former biologist and Texas Master Naturalist. Originally from Newsome, Texas (Between Pittsburg and Winnsboro), educated in Dallas & Garland schools, then off to the University of Texas system where he received a degree in biology and worked as a biologist with the University of Texas system. After many years away from nature and biology, he relocated to the banks of Lake O' the Pines where he has been rediscovering the joys of nature. He is somewhat surprised that he has become a birder. Most of his interest in nature was centered around reptiles. Perhaps just like birds evolved from reptiles starting in the late Jurassic, he has begun his own evolution. During his formal education, his interests in biology/nature grew to include community ecology and population studies, all with a binding of evolutionary processes. He liked birds, but they were secondary at best. All at once he finds them fascinating.